Online career stories for (post)docs: DS Sciences & Technology

"Received my doctoral degree. Where do I go from here? Why would I choose to do postdoctoral research? And, what to do after my postdoctoral position?”—are common questions for (post)doctoral researchers who are at this point of deciding whether to go ahead with academia or switch to a non-academic career! How do you plan on taking what you have learned in your research and capitalize on it? How do you start your new career or use your (post)doctoral experience to take the next step in your existing one? 

Great news: On January 29 the doctoral schools organize an inspiring session with a specific focus on possible career paths after postdoctoral research. This event consists of 3 testimonials from speakers with a research background in Sciences & Technology, followed by a short panel session. Listening to the testimonials is a great way to gain knowledge from the experience of others and to get answers to possible questions. The programme is varied in the sense that both postdoc holders who pursued a non-academic career and an academic career will take the floor. They will tell you their personal story: Why did they do a postdoctoral position? How does this fit into their current career? Which obstacles did they encounter? What would they do differently now? Are they still happy with their choices? 

After the testimonials, they will exchange opinions on specific statements. Both the audience and the panel of speakers get the opportunity to react and interact.

Testimonials: 

• Simon D'Haenens has a PhD in Geology at KU Leuven and conducted postdoctoral research Yale University.  He is currently a staff member Information management and strategic data-analysis at Hasselt University. 
• Lisa Hermans has a PhD in Statistics at UHasselt and works as a Research and Project Manager at the Data Science Institute of UHasselt after her postdoctoral experience. 
• Geert Pirotte has a PhD in Chemistry at UHasselt and made the transition to the non-academic world after his postdoctoral research. He now works as a Senior Process and Sustainability Engineer for Vynova Group. 
  
  

Programme: 

14:00-14:30    Words of welcome, followed by the first testimonial by dr. Simon D'Haenens

14:30–15:00   Testimonial by Prof. dr. Lisa Hermans

15:00–15:15    Break

15:15–15:45    Testimonial by dr. Geert Pirotte

15:45-16:15     Panel session & discussion of statements

16:15–16:30    Final Q&A

For whom?

• Postdocs and PhD researchers 
• This online event is specifically aimed at researchers from the Doctoral Schools of Sciences & Technology, but researchers from other doctoral schools are more than welcome to join as well. In this way, they can learn from the experience of other postdocs, independent of their research field.**

When and where?

• January 29, 2026 - 14h-16h30
• Online

Registration?

• Registration is possible via this link from September 25 until January 11, 2026. 
• Please cancel your registration at least one week in advance in case you cannot make it (cf. cancellation & no-show policy).

Acknowledged as?

• DS ST: category 'career & personal development' - workshop on career management

**In Spring a session will be organized with speakers from the DS of Behavioral Sciences & Humanities.